Sat in on a presentation by a correctional officer, spoke all about the shock collars that control groups and how people get controlled by drugs, fear, violence.

People were asking so many stupid questions that I didn't get a chance to ask but my question is, lets say a average guy gets locked up in a max security prison, not a real criminal, no drugs lets just say he got heated shot a crook but it wasn't a good shoot so he got locked up for voluntary manslaughter.

Would this guy get sucked into the whole prison culture or can the guy do his time straight?The way the officer made it sound is that everyone who goes to prison ends up committing more crimes inside?????

Fed CO for 16+. It is quite possible go in and do years w/o the bad changes you hear about. It will take uncommon "common" sense, it would help to have some support mechanism rooting for you on the outside, and will definitely take a REAL understanding of "minding your own business". Almost everyone I've kept an eye on are human beings; some good & some bad. There a very few monsters. Some, but very few. Stay safe

Above all, you must realize that you'll be a prisoner like all the others, reduced to just a number, and no better than an illiterate Cuban whore or white trailer trash.

Never, EVER become involved in gambling. It’s a death trap, as sure as walking into an aryan fest with name badge that says zog.

NEVER involve yourslef with punks. Do not have sex with punks, do not associate with those who have sex with punks, etc. Many an inmate has been killed by a jealous boyfriend. This may not seem like the shiny happy egalitarian thing to do, but believe me, neither is dying.

NEVER invoke debts you cannot repay. It is best not to invoke any debts period. When you first enter any institution, you will be approaced with 241 offers. Meaning that the person will front you 1 item (pack of cigs, commisary food, whatever) but you will have to repay them two. This is a classic trap for unexperienced inmates. If you smoke, quit. If you want items from the commisary, etc. wait until you have money on your books, or your in a position with your prison job that you can run your own hustle, and have items to barter with. The basic rule, is to NEVER take ANYTHING on credit. This will get you killed or seriously injured or TURNED OUT and pimped to pay your bill real fast.

NEVER use drugs in prison, of any type. I will make an exception for Marijuana, because it’s not addictive, but again, ONLY smoke it if you can pay for it. Take NOTHING ON CREDIT.

NEVER collaborate with the hacks against a fellow inmate, and NEVER give any information up about another inmate.

If you are arrogant to other prisoners, you'll alienate them and create many enemies. This could prove fatal.

Always be respectful and polite to other prisoners, regardless of how weird they may act or dress. First, because you don't know who or what they are, and second, because respect and personal dignity are the most valued possessions left to a prisoner.

Never tell another prisoner what to do or give anyone orders. Don't tell the noisy ones in the law library to be quiet. Prisoners deeply resent being bossed around by another prisoner. Their likely reponse -- even to a polite request -- is, "What are you, a fuckin' cop?"

Never stare at another prisoner for more than a second or two. He may be a walking powder keg, set off by an intrusive stare. He may either assault you on the spot or wait until darkness. Even if he doesn't kill you outright, your face will never look the same again.

Avoid anyone offering to “take you under their wing” or help you out. Generally, they are booty bandits, or Jailhouse pimps running a well thought out and practiced game against you.

Your first days

Entering prison for the first time can be a frightening experienced The noise level is what strikes you and it is unlike any noise that you have ever heard before. It's human noise and clamor. That, coupled with the sight of those dreary bars, made me think, "Man, what have I gotten myself into here?!" When you have entered prison, you have entered a world unto itself. Each prison is different. What applies to one prison certainly will not apply to another. Generally, certain common things will take place. You will be taken off of a bus or other transport, and led into the prison. While this is taking place, other inmates will be “sizing you up”, and jeering at you, trying to intimidate you through fences, windows, etc. Keep your eyes forward, do NOT respond, and ignore it. Period. Once you are inside the prison, you will have to go through any number of humiliating experiences. You will get your photograph taken for your commisary card. You may be questioned. You WILL be strip searched. This is a very impersonal, and not at all private procedure. You and your fellow new prisoners will be hearded together like cattle, and then made to form a line. You will be forced to strip, and stand in line, sometimes for more than an hour. When it gets to be “your turn” in the line, you will have to raise your arms, raise your feet, spread your ass (to make sure you have no contraband hidden up there), raise your penis/scrotum if you are a male, open your vagina if you are female, etc.

After this process is done, you will generally be issued your staples. Your prison uniform, your blanket, etc. and sometimes a sack lunch. Then you enter the prison.

Nothing generally happens at first, but it will. You can count on someone paying you a visit, or someone stepping to you while you’re eating and trying to take your food, etc. Unless you are sexually threatened, or you feel that your life is in SERIOUS danger, it is best to fight. Fight hard. As hard as you can without weapons until a hack comes and stops it. This will gain you respect. It won’t keep you from having problems ever again, but there is no shortage of people who are so scared that they will submit to just about anything. If you are not one of those people, you’re less likely to have a problem. This stuff is usually a power issue, with someone who has some inner cowardice and wants to punk out someone to look/feel harder.

If you are stepped to sexually, or you feel like you run the risk of death, than do whatever you can to protect yourself. It is better to kill a predator than to be their prey. The other option, is to become chattel. Someones slave, who they can pimp out for money, drugs, commisary items, etc, and this is more often than not the case.

If you are ever raped, there is a certain way this horrible situation must be handled. People who have never been to prison think it can never happen to them. Don’t ever think that. You have to have it firmly set in your mind, and make sure others know that you realize you are not superman, and that it could happen, but it will never happen twice. If you are raped, you HAVE to kill the attacker immediately (or as soon as possibly) afterwards. This will prevent it from ever happening again. No piece of ass is worth dying over, and predators will move on to easier and more complacent victims if they feel like you have the will and fortitude to kill them if it happens. Often, if you show a willingness to fight, other inmates will help you out. This may come in the form of them telling someone not to fuck with you, to providing you with shanks/other weapons to kill the individual, etc.

Some people are of the notion that it is better to accept rape, or giving up your food, or any other type of submissive position, especially if you are a short timer and will be getting out soon. This is absolutely WRONG. First, you have a right to live as dignified a life as possibly. Secondly, if you are EVER sent back up, or catch more time whle you’re inside, or are transferred to another joint, your rep will follow you, and you will be destined for a life of a lot more of the same. This type of situation also almost ALWAYS has a snowballing effect. It never stops at something simple. Make one concession and you’ll be making them for the rest of your life (however long or short that may end up being!).

For brothers (especially) and sisters who are bi-sexual or gay; Do not engage in a submissive punk relationship, even if sucking dick is ok with you. The life of a prison punk is no life. I have seen grown men forced to wear a mixture of cool-aid and vaseline on their lips like lipstick, walk talk and dress like a woman, and I have even seen a “punk” killed on the spot for standing up to piss. We are skinheads, and we are revolutionaries. It is better to die than to live under that type of tyranny. There are always people in prison who want to have sex, and it’s not going to be a problem for you to find someone to get with, if that’s your thing.

Prisons are classified by security levels (Maximum, Close, Medium, Minimum). You will have different rules and types of people according to what kind of prison you find yourself in.

Although each prison is different, there exists three basic groupings in all prisons. This social strata consists of the administration, guards, and the prisoners themselves. Each group operates according to its own set of rules and values, while there exists an interplay between the three, and none being totally independent of the others.

The administrators of prisoners are usually people with years of devoted service in the penal system. Some are educated in the science of penology, but for the most part they are persons who came up through the ranks as guards. After taking a number of college courses, or gaining a degree in some social science, they were granted their positions and titles. At the higher levels of penal administration can be found a bit more educated persons who are more devoted to the penal system. These are the warders and people who help make policy decisions. In this modern day, they are usually Black people. For those who understand the negative consequences of incarceration, their appointments to those positions can be recognized for what it is, a divisive tactic. Normally, they are no more than mere figureheads who do the system's bidding.

Rules in prison are formulated to either antagonize or placate prisoners, but their main purpose is to control. The guards are the people who enforce the rules. They act as middle-men between administrators and prisoners. As prisons and people in them differ, so do guards. Some are real professionals. They respect other human beings. They spend eight hours at their jobs and go home. Others are the worst types of people. Dirt poor and barely literate, they exist in a no-man's land between welfare or prison for themselves. They deal in contraband and are capable of brutal acts (including murder) against prisoners. Most are former military people, ex-cops, or people who couldn't qualify for police departments. They thrive on having authority. Some hold memberships in racist organizations and Masonic orders. Suffering psychological problems, their world-view is negative, and that is how they generally view most prisoners.

The most difficult part about having contact with prison administrators and guards is that they usually operate from a set of preconceived notions about all prisoners. For them a textbook example of a prisoner is dumb, petty, passively or aggressively homosexual, scheming, and manipulative. Their manuals generally describe all prisoners this way. They tend to lump all prisoners into these categories. Accordingly, it would be safe to lump them all into one category as well. Expect them to be indifferent, authoritative, and brutal you. When you encounter an administrator or guard who is different, consider it a rarity.

Prisoners come from a variety of backgrounds. Prison is a confined place, packed with living bodies of every shape, color and size. You will find yourself closer to other human beings than you have ever been before, many of whom you won't like. When conditions are crowded, there is a natural tendency for people to band together for mutual protection as well as friendship. Most prisons are divided by groups. These divisions occur along racial, religious, and ideological lines, as well as gang affiliations. The administrators and guards usually know who's who, because they are kept abreast of the inside goings-on by their inmate informants.

There exists a class of people who are "at home" inside prison. They were conditioned for prison life from childhood. Starting out in juvenile correctional facilities they later made the transition to youth reformatories and adult prisons. They are totally inept as criminals and have been incarcerated any number of times. They are institutionalized and would rather be in prison than out. By conditioning, prison's safe, controlled environment is best-suited to them, a place where they are clothed, fed, and told what to do. Outside life is too difficult to grapple with for these individuals.

For another class of people, prison is a kind of homeless shelter. They don't necessarily want to be in prison, but in a sense they are forced to be. Unskilled, homeless and destitute, they enter jails and prisons for an array of minor crimes to be fed and rested-up. Prison gives them a needed break from homelessness and crack addiction. For them a six month to a year sentence is a heavenly blessing. They aren't criminals in the real sense but men and women who have been forced by economic and social conditions to take the easy way out time and time again.

For yet another class of people coming to prison is an occupational hazard. Crime is their vocation and they take coming to prison all in stride. It would be incorrect to type them as institutionalized, because they long for the free world. They make no excuses for what they did and openly discuss what they will do once back out on the streets. They intend to gang bang, rob and peddle dope. Their time inside prison is just an extension of their criminal lives on the outside. Many continue to profit from vices while in prison.

ASSOCIATIONS

In everyday life, whether we find ourselves in jail or out, associations are important. We are often judged by who we associate ourselves with. The old saying, "Birds of a feather flock together" holds true. Because of the close proximity, you will be judged more harshly by your associations by others in prison. We are assumed to be of a particular character or to engage in certain activities by whom we associate ourselves with. Associations are of two types, positive and negative.

One of the first steps toward change and self-improvement is to begin to choose positive associations in our prison environment whose influences will benefit us in the long run. One good look around will tell you that there is very little actual thinking going on in our prison environments. The real thinkers are few, and that is what makes them noticeable. You will find these persons taking full advantage of the educational and vocational opportunities made available to them. They use their time wisely preparing themselves for their lives in the free world. These are the best associates, and we can usually benefit from their insights and accept their advice.

There are others who are leaders of gangs and various other factions inside prison. In love with a feeling of power over others, like actors, they play-out roles in their own little Godfather movies. They control the drugs, gambling, extortion, and other vices inside prison. Their manipulative abilities are usually honed by years of jailhouse experience. They know all the right buttons to push, and they orchestrate others in doing their bidding. Needless to say, nothing positive may be gained from these associations.

As previously stated, the choices in our associations holds itself out to us daily. I recognize that peer pressure plays a part, also, especially in a close environment such as prison; however, when most people see a person take a definite stand to do something good, they will usually respect it. The same is true for ourselves. We must take that firm stand to take on associations that are right and in our own best interest.

My good friend is a CO at Rikers Island, while it's a short term jail(usually less than a year stay) it's still a real bad place to be, but even so he tells me you can get by fine if you mind your own business and you're not a child rapist waiting for sentencing. Don't get involved with drugs/gangs/gambling and other deviate behavior and you can do your time and get out unscaved as long as you don't violate certain jail house rules. Violating those rules have different consequences, some will make it very difficult on you day to day.

I work in one. The environment is a lot like high school. Don't be a snitch, don't follow the guards around expecting them to protect you (you'll look like a child molester), be polite to your fellow inmates, but know yourself and your limits. Don't take any crap that you are not willing to constantly live with from the other inmates-once your limit is reached let Tom Petty's song "Won't back down" be your anthem. It is better to be seriously injured and protect your rep than to be identified as a pushover. Get in and stay in shape-not just weight lifting/pushups, but running too. When you're fighting for your life you will want enough endurance to be able to fight until the guards break it up. Listen to the guards and do what they say, but don't rely on them for your protection. The lengthy definition above is mostly right but obviously written by a convict-you will find that most guards are professional and will treat you like a man if you act like one. Do your time and get out. That is all.

Two days ago I took a guy to the hospital, here's what happened to himBasically he was in Dormitory style housing minding his own Business and he gets into an argument shoving match with a fellow InmateBecause of the infraction he gets moved to a Linear Cellblock20 cells to a Tier 17 Black Inmates and 3 White Inmates and he's one of themWhat do you think is gonna happen ? I can't believe that they throw these White Kids to the wolves like thisWell the Kid ( 23 years old ) held his own for 3 weeks until some Black guy jumped him as he came out of the showerVery Rarely is there a Fair Fight in Jail / Prison

I've seen alot in my years and there's so many different scenarios that can play outJust cause a guy is 6'5" 350 lbs doesn't mean he won't get his asskicked and I've seen guys 5'4" 160 do it to themPiss off a group /Gang / or clique of guys and you'll get jumped by 6 or 10 guys form all anglesand they'll wait till your preoccuppied watching TV , on the phone, in the shower, going to the bathroomPut 3 or 4 bars of soap in a sock and tie them of at the bottomNow you've got a serious weaponI've seen dozens of guys go to the Emergency Room from soap in a sock with Broken Jaws, Broken Eye Orbits you name it

There's strongarming and downright paying rentA guy can wind up in a Dorm or Cellblock and the other Inmates will leave him alone for a little whilethen demand Rent from him Usually in the form of Food / Commissary

Read the book "The Hot House Life Inside Leavenworth " by Pete Earley It's downright disturbing

Originally Posted By Turnkey:Answer to your Question: It's very difficult

Two days ago I took a guy to the hospital, here's what happened to himBasically he was in Dormitory style housing minding his own Business and he gets into an argument shoving match with a fellow InmateBecause of the infraction he gets moved to a Linear Cellblock20 cells to a Tier 17 Black Inmates and 3 White Inmates and he's one of themWhat do you think is gonna happen ? I can't believe that they throw these White Kids to the wolves like thisWell the Kid ( 23 years old ) held his own for 3 weeks until some Black guy jumped him as he came out of the showerVery Rarely is there a Fair Fight in Jail / Prison

I've seen alot in my years and there's so many different scenarios that can play outJust cause a guy is 6'5" 350 lbs doesn't mean he won't get his asskicked and I've seen guys 5'4" 160 do it to themPiss off a group /Gang / or clique of guys and you'll get jumped by 6 or 10 guys form all anglesand they'll wait till your preoccuppied watching TV , on the phone, in the shower, going to the bathroomPut 3 or 4 bars of soap in a sock and tie them of at the bottomNow you've got a serious weaponI've seen dozens of guys go to the Emergency Room from soap in a sock with Broken Jaws, Broken Eye Orbits you name it

There's strongarming and downright paying rentA guy can wind up in a Dorm or Cellblock and the other Inmates will leave him alone for a little whilethen demand Rent from him Usually in the form of Food / Commissary

Read the book "The Hot House Life Inside Leavenworth " by Pete Earley It's downright disturbing

I can't stress the need for Convicts/Inmates/Offenders to mind their own business. In my position as a Sgt. in an Admin. Seg. unit I can't tell you how many well whipped asses I have seen because people cannot mind their own goddamn business. If it does not directly involve you, than you know nothing about it. If your the one who got your ass kicked in the shower just remember "I slipped and fell" or the tried and true favorite " I caught an elbow playing Basketball". And if you don't want to be a punk, keep your back to the wall & keep your big mouth shut! And yes, I have seen people who have had to much red meat in their diet. Or they may have come into the DOC as a tight end, however they came out as a wide reciever.

Ive got a Friend who did 4.5 years in a level 3, starting when he was 17. He said Prison was nothing like the movies, he said "yeah sometimes people get stabbed, people get raped " he went on to say that if you just mind your own Business and stay away from Drugs and Gambling you will be fine. He said "the First person to approach you, is the last person you want to have anything to do with"